Monday, March 17, 2008

Music Monday - "Stop! In the Name of Love" - Diana Ross and the Supremes

I spent some time this weekend putting together a long overdue Michigan mix CD. I'd had a friend, a former Michigander ask me - "What music would be from Michigan?"

Whoa.

To start with, and maybe to end with, Motown. Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross and both the original and latter members of the Supremes, The Four Tops, The Temptations and the inimitable Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, to name just few.

Okay, and then there's a great punk rock history - The Stooges, arguably the first punk band, formed in my adopted home town. That legacy carries up to The White Stripes today.

Folkies? Michael Cooney and Catie Curtis both got their starts here, and the Ark, in Ann Arbor, is one of the most venerable folk venues in the country.

When I was in college, blues bars ruled the roost, and given our proximity to Chicago, we had big name blues acts almost every weekend.

Yup, we've done okay.

So, for my ode to Michigan on this Monday, I chose "Stop! In the Name of Love." It's not my favorite. My favorite Motown pick would have been "Respect" or "My Girl." But it brings back fond memories. It resurrects pre-karaoke days when I would play Diana to my bf and his best friend, and we had an "act" that we might pull off in a bar after one too many beers. And from what I've heard, we were funny.

For those who see me as staid and oh-so-nice, another piece of the puzzle...

And darn it, youtube is being a pain again, so if the video doesn't appear (or appears three days late like last week), here's a link to enjoy Miss Ross and her wonderful Supremes.

I thought it was just me having issues with you tube. Couldnt post the embedded link, only the URL.Anyway I didnt realize the rich history until Madonnas induction last week into the Hall of Fame. But of course all those great acts come from Michigan. I love Diana .Some say I can look like her at times.Only face , not weight.

Michigan does have a great music history. I love blues, myself, but a lot of what you listed I grew up listening to. My dad loves Doowop and Motown. My mom listened to Jefferson Airplane and ABBA...I'm glad I ended up with my dad's taste.

Oh and yeah, marriage is becoming less common in Western Europe in lieu of samensleving contract type things. I, however, have already told Hans that I'm a traditionalist in that respect and I do want to get married before we have kids. If that means I have to get knocked up for him to pop the question...well, at least I warned him, right?

I hadn't thought about it, but you guys might be even better than Jersey (though I like to think that Springsteen cancels out Bobby Brown). But what about Eminem? I know I shouldn't like him, but I do. And Kid Rock. Great post!

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AlternativeU is an (in process) nonprofit designed to help find useful, income-generating or debt free education experiences for 18- to 24-year-olds who do not choose to follow the traditional college route.